CIS and TSN extend Vanier Cup partnership

Source: TSN communications

TORONTO – TSN announced today it has reached a multi-year partnership extension with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), and partner MRX Associates, making TSN the exclusive home of the VANIER CUP for the next three years. The agreement also includes exclusive rights for the UTECK BOWL, MITCHELL BOWL, and HARDY CUP.

TSN’s extension with the CIS includes all multimedia broadcast rights for the championship games along with French-language broadcast rights for RDS.

As part of the new deal, the VANIER CUP, UTECK BOWL, MITCHELL BOWL, and HARDY CUP will all be broadcast live in prime time for the first-time ever.  TSN will broadcast the games during its popular Friday night timeslot throughout November. The 2011 VANIER CUP airs Friday, Nov. 25 as part of TSN’s extensive GREY CUP weekend coverage.

“CIS football has never been stronger, with solid programs established in schools across the country delivering some outstanding football,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President of Programming, TSN. “We are looking forward to working with the CIS in continuing to build the profile of the league by showcasing its championship game and star athletes with prime time coverage on TSN this fall.”

“CIS is extremely pleased to have our games broadcast on Friday night prime time, with the Vanier Cup broadcast from the same venue, and  the  same broadcaster as the Grey Cup.  This is good for Canadian University football and a great opportunity for our fans, our players and  the teams,” said Peter Metuzals, Director of Marketing, Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

SPORTSCENTRE, TSN.ca and TSN RADIO 1050 will complement TSN’s CIS football coverage with news and analysis surrounding the games. ESPN Classic will showcase great matches from past VANIER CUPS.

TSN is Canada's Sports Leader and Canada’s most-watched specialty network. Delivering more sports coverage in High Definition than any other network in Canada, TSN's comprehensive broadcast schedule features an exciting lineup of sports including NHL, CFL, NFL, NBA, MLS, the IIHF World Junior Championship, Season of Champions Curling, Golf’s Majors, F1, NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, Grand Slam Tennis, EURO 2012 and 2016, the Tour de France, NCAA March Madness tournament and Championship Boxing events.  TSN properties include TSN2, TSN MOBILE and the industry-leading sports website TSN.ca.  Official broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games, TSN is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.